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Bible Dictionaries
Chamberlain
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
or CHAMBERLAIN . In OT the word occurs in 2 Kings 23:11 and repeatedly in Est., where the original is ‘eunuch’ ( sârîs ); but it is generally believed that this name is not to be taken always in a literal sense, and hence it is often rendered by the word ‘officer.’ In Esther, however, the chamberlain evidently belongs to that class of persons who are entrusted with the watchful care of the harems of Oriental monarchs. In NT at Acts 12:20 it is said that the people of Tyre and Sidon sought the favour of Herod Agrippa through the mediation of Blastus ‘the king’s chamberlain,’ showing that the office was one of considerable influence. The word occurs again in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] in Romans 16:23 , but is rendered in RV [Note: Revised Version.] more accurately ‘treasurer of the city.’
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Chamberlain'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdb/c/chamberlain.html. 1909.
